Lehmann: SA fans have been disgraceful
Australia coach Darren Lehmann has slammed the crowds in South Africa as “disgraceful” after another incident involving a visiting player on the second day of the third Test at Newlands on Friday.
In a series that has been marred by off-field controversy, a fan was ejected from the Cape Town stadium after hurling abuse at opener David Warner when the Australia vice-captain was dismissed.
The spectator allegedly verbally abused Warner as he was walking up the staircase to the dressing rooms which caused the batsman to stop and snap back at the fan.
Lehmann said he and his players have been copping abuse in all the games in the series so far.
The Australia mentor told reporters after the day’s play: “I think it’s been disgraceful.
“You’re talking about abuse of various players and their families, it’s not on at a cricket ground anywhere around the world, not just here.”
About the Warner incident on Friday, Lehmann went on: “You can have the banter, that’s fine. But they’ve gone too far here. It’s been poor. It was personal, and it was poor, and he wasn’t the only one.
“They’ve got to be better than that when they come to international arenas to watch a game of two quality sides playing against each other.”
The Australia coach also said that the abuse he and his players have received on this tour has been the worst that they have experienced anywhere around the world.
Lehmann added: “We accept it all around the world, but as soon as they cross the line and talk about players’ families and the players … it’s just not on,” he said.
“There have been various incidents throughout the series, but this one takes the cake.”
Nasri Alexander at Newlands
Latest
-
News
Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer return to spearhead England’s tour of India
Jos Buttler will return home after the first Test as England seek to keep players fresh, while Ollie Pope will return when fit.
-
News
World Test Championship: Which countries are in the running for Lord’s final
The ICC World Test Championship final is set to be held at Lord’s in June, completing a two-year cycle of the inaugural tournament.
-
News
Klaasen named skipper of Proteas T20 squad for Pakistan series
South Africa named a much-changed squad for the T20I series that follows the two Tests in Pakistan.
-
News
Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer return to spearhead England’s tour of India
The star all-rounder and key pace bowler were both rested from the current tour of Sri Lanka.
-
News
James Anderson replaces Stuart Broad as England shuffle seam attack in Sri Lanka
The most prolific seamer in history will swap places with Broad for the second Test.
-
News
Joe Root backs Dom Sibley and Zak Crawley to adjust to Asian conditions
Sibley and Crawley contributed four single-figure scores in the opening Test for a total of 25 runs.
-
News
England fast bowler Olly Stone ready to resume Test ambitions in Sri Lanka
The Warwickshire quick is ready to prove himself again after 18 hard months since his debut.
-
News
Angelo Mathews: Sri Lanka batsmen ‘can learn a lot’ from Joe Root
Mathews hailed Root’s ‘magnificent innings’ in the first Test.
-
News
Dawid Malan happy to stay put after Trent Rockets’ show of faith
The England batsman has earned an improved deal in The Hundred.
-
News
England coach Chris Silverwood grateful for gift of the Gabba
India’s famous win over Australia grabbed the England squad’s attention in Galle.